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Before you light the candles, make the appropriate blessings.
On the first night of Chanukah, Sunday, December 21, 2008 (or the first time
on Chanukah you perform this mitzvah) recite all three blessings. On all
following nights, say only the first two:
1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-tav Ve-tzi-va-nu Le-had-lik Ner Cha-nu-kah.
2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-a-sa Ni-sim La-avo-te-nu Ba-ya-mim Ha-hem Bi-zman Ha-zeh.
3. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-heche-ya-nu Ve-ki-yi-ma-nu Ve-higi-a-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
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Right after sunset, once it’s dark outside.
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The Menorah or holder used for lighting the lights should be attractive and clean. All 8 Chanukah lights need to be lined up on the same level, but the Shamesh candle must be separate!
The preferred way to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah Menorah is to use pure olive oil and wicks of cotton, just like the Menorah in the Holy Temple. Nevertheless, other types of oils, wicks and candles may be used, as long as they give a steady light!
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Some people put their Menorah in the doorway opposite the Mezuzah, while others place it near the window. We do this to spread the Chanukah light! In these places, people are sure to see your Menorah, and remember the great miracles that G-d performed.
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We place candles in the Menorah from right to left, but we light the candles from left to right.
On the first night we light one candle on the right side. On the second night we light the new, candle first, starting from the left and moving to the right. We continue this way every night of Chanukah, adding a candle each night (see diagram on opposite page).
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The Chanukah candles cannot be used to light each other, which is why we use the Shamesh Candle to light the Menorah. It’s not one of the 8 Chanukah candles, so we set it in a place above the rest. The Shamesh can be made out of sweet-smelling beeswax. The lights of the Chanukah candles are special - only for looking at, not for using. It is good for the eyes - and the soul!
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The Chanuka candles are supposed to burn for at least a half hour. On Friday though, we have to light them before it gets dark and Shabbat comes in. We generally use more oil, or bigger candles on Friday, so that the candles will stay burning, well into Shabbat!
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Thank you so much for this easy to follwow instruction. My Grandfather was a conservative Jewish imigrant. When I was a child he always lit the Chanukah menora when we were at his house for the holidays. And his wife. my Grandmother, never converted to Judaism. My Dad married Jewish and converted or visa versa.....anyway I wasn't raised so much in a devout manner.
We went to shul on all the holidays but I never really learned that much except to identify as a Jew. I will memorize the blessings and light the menorah in my home for the first time in 2009. Toda raba for the info....Kol tuv
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I really appreciate this website. This is my first Hanukkah that I have been able to openly admit that I am Jewish. My grandparents were in the Underground Jewish Railroad and because of this, we were never able to be Jewish openly. It took 120 years before the truth was revealed to our 200 Jewish relatives living in America.
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I am a professor emeritus at a Catholic College, but my students, all future teachers, are of many faiths and none. For the last thirty-nine years I have taught about Hanukkah, primarily because I believe that ignorance is the major cause of intolerance among otherwise good people. Now I find your site!! What a hanukkah gift!! I will post it tomorrow for the hundreds of students in our program. They will be enriched by it. Thank you.
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Thursday Night, Dec. 25
Friday Afternoon, Dec. 26
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Sunday Night, Dec. 28
